Franchise Executive Recruiters Trusted by Growing and Established Brands
For more than 50 years, Wray Executive Search has served as one of the most respected franchise executive recruiters, partnering with franchisors and multi-brand organizations to deliver high-impact franchise executive search for senior leadership and C-suite roles. From emerging franchise platforms to global systems, we help franchise organizations build leadership teams that drive consistency, growth, and long-term enterprise value.
As experienced franchise executive consultants, Wray understands the complexity of franchise systems—balancing brand standards with franchisee success, scaling infrastructure, and maintaining alignment across diverse markets. Whether you are preparing for expansion, professionalizing leadership, or planning for succession, we help you hire with confidence.
Trusted Experts in Franchise Executive Search
Leadership decisions in franchising carry unique weight. Every executive hire influences not only internal teams, but franchise owners, operators, and the long-term health of the brand. For decades, Wray Executive Search has partnered with franchisors to identify leaders who understand governance, growth, and the realities of operating within a franchise model.
As one of the most experienced franchise executive search firms, we help organizations navigate leadership needs across operations, development, marketing, finance, and enterprise leadership—ensuring alignment between franchisor strategy and field execution.
Whether you’re building infrastructure for growth or strengthening leadership in a mature system, we bring perspective shaped by decades of franchise-specific experience.
Proudly Serving Franchise Brands Across Industries
What Sets Franchise Executive Recruiters Apart
Franchise leadership is fundamentally different from leadership in company-owned or single-brand environments. Executives must influence without direct control, lead through systems, and balance the needs of franchisors and franchisees alike.
As specialized franchise executive recruiters, Wray Executive Search evaluates candidates through a franchise-specific lens, assessing:
Experience operating within franchised systems
Ability to partner with franchise owners and advisory councils
Skill in driving consistency while supporting local market performance
Leadership presence and credibility across diverse stakeholder groups
This is where true franchise executive search differs from general recruiting or transactional hiring. Our role is not to simply fill roles, but to identify leaders who can scale brands while protecting culture, relationships, and long-term value.
Our franchise executive search experience includes:
Restaurants – QSR, fast casual, full service, and more
Health & Wellness / Fitness – Studio franchises, wellness concepts, and med spas
Retail – From boutique to national chains
Education – Early childhood centers, tutoring companies, and enrichment services
Business & Home Services – B2B services, cleaning, maintenance, and repair
Automotive – Repair, detailing, oil change, and specialty service models
No matter the industry, we identify and recruit leaders who bring both strategic vision and hands-on operational excellence—executives who understand how to lead within franchise frameworks while driving results across complex networks.
Franchise Executive Recruiters With a Legacy of Results
Wray Executive Search is a nationally respected team of franchise executive recruiters, trusted by leading franchise brands to build leadership teams that drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence. With over five decades of experience, we are more than just franchise executive consultants—we are long-term partners invested in your success.
From emerging franchise concepts to well-established national and global brands, we provide strategic executive search solutions tailored to the unique demands of the franchise business model. Whether you’re hiring a CEO, COO, CMO, or regional leader, we understand the qualities that make leaders thrive in franchise systems.
Our Team
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Kevin Stockslager
Managing Partner
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Ray Kelley
Managing Partner
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Rebecca Patt
SVP & Partner
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Bob Gershberg
Executive Advisor
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Joe Radice
Advisor
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Monica da la Nuez
Vice President
The Wray Advantage
Wray Executive Search brings unmatched depth to franchise executive search.
6 Points of Distinction
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Our Leadership
Our leading consultants bring substantial senior-level experience.
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Wide Scope
Wray Executive Search offers a wide scope of industry knowledge and experience. We provide a wide array of services and have an extensive network in these arenas.
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Impactful Expertise
The cross-functional, wide-reaching expertise our company provides can have a deep impact on your business. We serve client needs internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.
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Unique Guarantees
We offer a full one-year replacement guarantee ensuring that our candidates will bring value long term. If, for some reason, the hired candidate does not work out, we will find a replacement.
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Diverse Consultants
Our consultants bring varied experience from all segments of the industry. We offer broad-based, cross-functional expertise to enhance our partnership.
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Competitive, Comprehensive Rates
There are no surprises when it comes to our fees. We maintain highly competitive performance-based rates founded upon our robust executive search record.
Franchise Executive Search for Every Stage of Growth
Franchise systems evolve rapidly, and leadership requirements change as organizations scale. Our franchise executive search practice supports franchisors at every stage of the lifecycle.
We partner with:
Emerging brands preparing to franchise or accelerate development
Growth-stage franchisors building enterprise leadership infrastructure
Mature systems navigating complexity, governance, and succession
Private equity–backed franchise platforms focused on scalability and exit readiness
Unlike firms focused solely on near-term hiring, Wray Executive Search helps franchise organizations identify leaders who can support today’s priorities while positioning the brand for sustained growth and stability.
This long-term perspective is what distinguishes true franchise executive consultants from transactional search providers.
Franchise Executive Recruiters for Leadership Roles That Matter
From functional leadership to the executive suite, Wray Executive Search supports franchisors in identifying leaders who influence performance across the entire system.
Our franchise executive recruiters regularly place leaders in roles including:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chief Franchise Officer
SVP, Franchise Operations
VP, Franchise Development
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Chief Development Officer
Each candidate is rigorously evaluated for experience, leadership judgment, cultural alignment, and readiness to deliver results from day one
A Proven, Disciplined Approach to Franchise Executive Search
Our approach to franchise executive search is intentionally rigorous, discreet, and relationship-driven.
Every engagement begins with a deep discovery process to understand your organization’s goals, leadership gaps, and cultural dynamics. We assess not only what the role requires today, but what it will demand as the business evolves.
From there, we leverage our national network and long-standing industry relationships to identify and engage executives who are not actively seeking new roles—but who consistently deliver results in complex restaurant environments.
Throughout the search, clients benefit from clear communication, honest market insight, and guidance shaped by decades of restaurant-specific experience. The outcome is leadership placements that create lasting value well beyond the initial hire.
Succession Planning & Leadership Readiness in Franchise Organizations
Leadership transitions within franchise systems are particularly complex. Executive turnover can disrupt franchisee confidence, slow development, and create operational risk if not managed carefully.
As trusted franchise executive recruiters, Wray Executive Search helps organizations proactively plan for leadership succession. We support clients in benchmarking internal talent against external leaders, assessing readiness, and preparing for transitions that protect system stability and brand trust.
Executive search is not simply about replacement—it is a strategic tool for strengthening leadership continuity and long-term franchise performance.
Franchise News & Insights
Build Your Franchise Leadership Team with Confidence
The strength of a franchise system depends on the leaders guiding it. With more than five decades of experience and a deep understanding of franchising, Wray Executive Search is a partner franchisors trust.
If you’re ready to work with franchise executive recruiters who understand the complexity of your business and the future you are building, we’re ready to help.
If you are looking to be considered for opportunities, go to our candidate page and submit your resume.